Fuligni, Paradiso di Manfredi, and more newly released Brunello/Rosso wines

My tasting of the newly release Brunello/Rosso/Brunello riserva wines continue. Some misses, but several good ‘hits’, too. 2014 Il Paradiso (Manfredi) Brunello di MontalcinoSangiovese 9/26/2019 – Wonderful. I’m really in love with the sous bois/soil aromas in this vintage, as they lend even more character, and freshness. The entry is medium-bodied, elegant, and also substantive in…

Marching to his own drum – Az. Agr. Uccelliera, Part III

Winegrowing at Uccelliera has been an experiment from its inception. I think it says a lot about the man, about his vision; he’s willing to admit, up front, he doesn’t have all the answers. He’s saying he’s after a deeper understanding of his land, that he’s not going to take what someone before him says…

Marching to his own drum – Az. Agr. Uccelliera, Part II

Agnes asks which wine I’d like to begin with. As I’m not in the habit of making such requests, I let her know any is just fine; I’m all too happy just to be here. Using the Coravin (it’s a slow-er season for visitors), she pours some of the 2014 Uccelliera Rosso di Montalcino. I spend…

Marching to his own drum – Az. Agr. Uccelliera, Part I

It’s fun (for me) to taste wines, for years, and trying to imagine what the person behind this thing that brings you so much joy is actually like. Are they like some of the wines that don’t show so well? Are they the same as the wines that blow your mind, and have you searching…

Family. Farming.

It’s just after ten in the morning here in Montalcino. The sun is high enough now that I can bring the laptop outside (yes, this is the middle of February, but it’s 100% sunshine and on the way to over 60 degrees today; magnificent in other words. I’ve already had an early morning walk through…

BENVENUTO BRUNELLO 2018, MONTALCINO CENTRO, PART III

Some more tasting notes from the event. Again, all can be found here, and again, in no particular order (i.e. I did not rank them). Many, many fine wines, only a couple of stinkers; stinkers with the proviso that someone, somewhere will like them, just not me. Tasting notes of newly released wines 17 February,…

BENVENUTO BRUNELLO 2018, MONTALCINO Centro, PART II

The first day of the event is reserved solely for journalists. The second day is open to journalist and trade persons. The last two days are open to the public and make tasting something of a challenge as the space becomes very small, very quickly. That said, I persevered, for you 😀 All of my…

Benvenuto Brunello 2018, Montalcino Centro, Part I

After a few weeks of travel through New York City, Connecticut, Paris and the eastern side of France, I’ve finally made it to my beloved Italia. A quick night in Turin, then another in Asti, and now here, in Montalcino for the past three days, attending the new release of the 2013 Brunello di Montalcino,…

Tuscan Masterpiece – 2013 Il Palazzone Brunello di Montalcino

My nearly one month stay in Montalcino zone last year produced some really eye-opening moments. Specifically, the careful, and clever, attention that some winegrowers (and that number appears to be growing, an uplifting thought) are paying to their land and vines is exciting. It’s almost as if there’s a revolution underway – a campaign where…

Podere Salicutti – humility and genius

At this year’s VinItaly, I had a chance to spend some time with Francesco Leanza, after 20 minutes of talking about some his past vintages that I’ve enjoyed, I also had some time to taste his newly released wines. My experience with the Podere Salicutti wines prior to meeting him prepared me, if just a…